Can you or someone explain the whole PH thing to me? I notice that every day I have to put PH down in. What is it in the tank that causes the ph to rise? With my last tank i put ph down in every day for a few days, then it needed it every week, and so forth until it stayed balanced more or less. of course, when the water is changed, the whole thing starts again, only not as drastic. It would be great to have a kind of driftwood or something that naturally lowers the PH.
As you can tell, I really dont know anything about it. Someone please help. Just direct me to the right page or article. Thanks in advance.
there is no need to add pH down to your tank, and it is acctually advised against. the chemical creates a fluctuating pH that is stressful for the fish. most tank bred fish will be able to adapt to most pHs. i keep angels, which are considered "soft" water fish, in a pH of 8.0 without any ill effects.
there are also natural ways to lower pH, like adding driftwood, that also keep the tank stable.
I could adapt to living in 20 to 30 degree temperature all year round, but I sure would not like it. If you intend on discus, make sure your water is the way they like it. Most fish do adapt, and I have never been one to add alot of chemicals of any sort, but for those guys I would. check this out http://www.aquahobby.com/articles/e_adjusting_pH.php
So yesterday I bought a ready-made high quality banner canvas and took it to my art studio down at the college. I painted it with acrylics and hung it to dry. See pic. Today I rushed home and just sloppily hung it behind the tank to see what it would look like. Pretty good I think! Take a look. Then, since I apparently dont have to worry about ph, RELEASE THE HOUNDS! or, in this case, transefered the Angels from my other tank. They will terminate the feeders with extreme predjudice.
This weekend the tank will go a radical remodel with the addition of driftwood and slate. Stay tuned...
One thing I like to do is set a pair of powerheads on the gravel or on a rock on the bottom, with the intake just slightly sucking in bubbles from the airstone. The powerhead turns the bubbles into micro bubbles and then expells them in a light cloud. I find this to be an extremely effective aeration technique and has the added benefit of keeping the powerhead from clogging. the microbubbles get pushed around the whole tank by the currents. Thats what you see in the right side of the aquarium.